DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IRENA

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000681 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E, EEB/ESC, AND OES/EGC E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/06/11 TAGS: ENRG KGHG SENV AE DJ SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IRENA REF: STATE 59969; DJIBOUTI 655 CLASSIFIED BY: J. Swan, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (SBU) DCM and EconOff discussed reftel points with GODJ Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Bilateral Relations Mohamed Ali Hassan June 11. Hassan said that Djibouti intended to send a representative from the Ministry of Energy to attend the upcoming June 28-30 International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) preparatory meeting in Egypt. ¶2. (C) Hassan said that the GODJ agreed with the USG in supporting the U.A.E.'s bid to host IRENA headquarters. For Director General, Hassan said Djibouti would support the French candidate. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT. Djibouti currently relies exclusively on expensive electricity generated with imported fuel, and has recently accelerated efforts to develop its considerable renewable energy resources (ref B). The GODJ enjoys a strong bilateral relationship with the U.A.E.; Dubai Ports World manages Djibouti's airport and USD 300 million new port. Dubai Ports World has previously estimated its total investment in Djibouti at over USD 800 million. Post will follow up with any substantive response from the Ministry of Energy on IRENA's mission and focus. END COMMENT. SWAN